Ahead of 2019 polls, philanthropist and frontline aspirant for the Ikono/INI Federal Constituency seat, Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo (Macaire), in this interview speaks on why Ikono South in Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State should produce the next House of Representatives’ member and his chances. He also speaks on his plans for the people of Ikono and INI Local Government Areas if elected. Excerpts:
We are aware that you are seeking the support of your people to represent them in the House of Representatives’ in 2019. Can you tell us more about your aspiration?
You are very correct. The name Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, fondly called Macaire, rings a bell in the social and political circles as well as other sectors in INI, Ikono, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and beyond. The name also ignites several undertones to divergent individuals and groups. I am of the the Abak family in Ikot Akpa Edet Village, Ndiya Clan in Ikono Local Government Area. I am home grown and have firsthand experience and seen sensibilities of the circumstance, yearnings and aspirations of my people, as well as driven by a fervent desire to better the lot of the people of my Federal Constituency. And I am mostly favoured by zoning. Now, let me tell you a little about the zoning arrangement in Ikono for record purposes. First, Ikono Local Government is politically divided into three zones of Ikono South (Four Wards), Ikono Middle (Four Wards) and Ediene/Itak (Three Wards), but traditionally, Ikono Local Government Area has four clans with Ikono Clan being the largest. Ikono Clan covers the entire Ikono Middle, three Wards in Ikono South and even extends to five (Odoro Ikono) of the 10 Wards of the sister local government, INI LGA. There is Ndiya Clan, which doubles as a ward in Ikono South. And there are Ediene Clan, which covers two Wards, and Itak Clan, which is made up of a Ward.
Secondly, my party, the PDP has a history from 1999. And from that 1999 when the zoning of political offices in Ikono started, we had TABAS Accord. It was later revalidated in 2013 during the tenure of Chief Etim Inyang (Ukarakpa Itak Ibibio) as Chapter Chairman of PDP to Agatha’s Accord. Today, the Agatha’s Accord has also been revalidated by the Dr David Akpan Ntuk-led zoning Committee. It will be revalidated again in 2023 by whoever will be the Chapter Chairman of PDP. So, there has always been internal zoning of political offices in Ikono Local Government Area. The last beneficiary of the Agatha’s Accord is the current Chairman of Ikono Local Government Council. The Accord zoned the Chairmanship to Ediene/Itak with particular reference to Ward 11 and that is why Itoro Columba emerged. The same Agatha’s Accord brought the current member representing Ikono in the State House of Assembly (Ikono Middle) and the current Chapter Chairman of PDP (Ikono Middle).
Why are you seeking the mandate of your people to represent them in the House of Representatives?
Consideration of office is based on performance and acceptability. When you say allow somebody to complete term, it is like I am trying to get something that does not belong to me. The mandate of the incumbent, Engr. Iboro Ekanem belongs to the people and so it is the people that will decide. Not just the people of Ikono but the entire people of Ikono and INI that will decide. And you know it is not easy for you to take something from a man who has done well.
I decided to take up service to my people in the House of Representatives because I am sure my experience would be fully utilized to provide effective, resourceful and capable representation for them. The National Assembly is also a platform for the economic and social transformation of Ikono and INI Local Government Areas, Akwa Ibom and Nigeria.
My mission is to champion the interest and galvanize the unity and resourcefulness of my people for the promotion of the economic, social, political and infrastructural development of the Federal Constituency. My reasons for seeking the Ikono/INI Federal Constituency seat are as follows: To provide a credible and result-oriented representation and platform for the economic and social transformation of the entire federal constituency leveraging on my considerable experience and tested records of quality service; the necessity to galvanize the unity and resourcefulness of my people in teamwork and on the platform of the PDP to advance unity, peace and progress of the Federal Constituency; equity and justice demand representation at the House of Representatives by Ikono South (where I come from). This is the time my people want to appreciate me as an advocate of justice, fair play and equity.
What have been your contributions to the PDP?
I am a faithful and financial member of the PDP. I am a strategic party worker, a dynamic grassroots mobilizer and charismatic campaigner. I have a superlative record of tenacious and result-oriented service to PDP within and outside my locality which resulted in inclusion in various government committees like the one that gave the party landslide victory during the last LG polls, the Governor’s reelection campaign committee, the Divine Mandate. I am also a Board of Trustees’ member of Transformation Initiative
